Merritt keeps cool on mound to help Miramar to win

TEENAGE pitcher Josh Merritt was the toast of the Miramar men’s softball team after he hurled the side to a 3-0 win over visiting Hawke’s Bay team Central Vikings in the final of the Doreen Dalton Memorial tournament at Fraser Park yesterday.

Merritt, who was named the tournament’s top pitcher, gave up just two hits and took eight strikeouts in the final.

‘‘That was a good confidence boost,’’ said Merritt, who was a member of the Junior Black Sox team that competed at an international tournament in Prague two months ago.

For the side, which lost its opening two games in the local intercity competition, reaching the final was an achievement on its own. The side qualified fourth for the playoffs, after winning only one of their three round-robin games.

In the semifinal they toppled top qualifiers Porirua City United 2-1 and then it was a matter of sticking to the basics.

‘‘We just had to get ahead and have fun,’’ Merritt said.

While Merritt did his job on the mound, he was well supported by Black Sox squad member Cory Timu, who was a guest player for Miramar and caught for the youngster. ‘‘It was awesome to have him there,’’ Merritt said.

Also making a guest appearance for Miramar side making his presence felt was Black Sox international Tyson Byrne, who scored two runs in the final.

Miramar’s third run was scored by Jayden Stratford, who was also a member of the Junior Black Sox team that made the trip to Prague.